Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Modesto, CA covered by Aetna

I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2016. I have been providing therapy since 2011.

Check out my YouTube, for short helpful videos:

www.youtube.com/@softenup

Hi, I am Kianna. I am a warm and inquisitive Spanish- and English-speaking LCSW. I make sure to incorporate cultural competency when understanding the individual, the family system, and partnerships. I create a welcoming space where clients feel seen, understood, and respected across identities. I approach each session with curiosity and compassion, honoring the cultural stories and lived experiences that shape a person’s healing journey.

Hi! I'm Ava, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in self-esteem, depression, and trauma in women. I earned my Bachelor's in Psychology & Education from UCLA and my Master's of Marriage & Family Therapy (clinical psychology) from USC.

Women who find me often describe feeling disconnected from themselves in ways that are hard to explain.

Most are in their 20s, many of whom are Latina, navigating identity shifts and redefining who they are after major life transitions. They may have ambition, potential, and clear goals, yet still feel held back by something invisible. That “something” often goes by many names: depression, low self-worth, insecure attachment, abandonment and rejection wounds, and unresolved relational trauma from childhood.

Being an LMFT is my second career, and the one in which I finally feel like my best self. Having been in the business world for 20 years before this has given me lots of great life experience. I bring all of this and my blended family life to the table when I'm in the room with clients. They deserve the whole person.

More that fifteen years of teaching English and drama at a Los Angeles public high school taught me many things - primarily, it taught me how often people's barriers to achievement are not due to any lack of skill or ability, but rather from emotional barriers stemming from stress, adversity and trauma. So, I went back to graduate school to pursue a new career as a therapist so that I could help in a different way. My training and experience has focused on treating anxiety disorders, PTSD (including Complex-PTSD) and also couples - helping them to navigate challenges and triggers so that they can reset and reconnect.

I’ve helped people work through trauma, burnout, ADHD, Bipolar mood concerns, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, and others, in ways that honor their pace and their story. Our work together is grounded in honesty, humor, and compassion.

As a therapist in Fresno and online in CA, I help people whose minds and bodies are tired of being on high alert. You might notice every possible threat around you, feel constantly on edge, or struggle to relax even in moments that should feel safe. You may carry guilt or shame from the ways you react when overwhelmed.

As therapy continues, you begin to notice small but real shifts. The mornings feel a bit lighter. You catch yourself laughing without effort. You start to sleep better. You find it easier to connect with family or friends, to be present, to breathe. These small moments build into something bigger

— a sense of belonging in your own life again.

For over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping individuals untangle the weight of trauma, stress, and life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re feeling on edge, disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, therapy can be a place to finally exhale.

Hello! I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus. I work with individuals, families, and business leaders to strengthen relationships, whether personal or professional. Certified in evidence-based therapies, I’m dedicated to fostering growth, improving communication, and building meaningful connections for individuals, couples, and organizations.